The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is working to convince the organizers of Alabama’s “Big Buck Project” – a private effort to release captive whitetail “breeder bucks” into the wild in Marengo County – to reconsider and keep the farm deer behind their fence.

“Releasing captive-bred, farm-raised deer carries significant risks for wild deer, and that’s why QDMA opposes this project, and why it’s illegal in nearly every state,” said QDMA CEO and wildlife biologist Brian Murphy. “I was shocked to learn that Alabama does not have a law that prevents what is being proposed in Marengo County. Across the nation, wildlife and agricultural agencies have stringent requirements to keep captive deer behind fences because of their potential risks to wild deer. Captive deer have the potential to carry diseases or parasites not present in wild populations, some of them deadly.”

“Any time deer are moved across the landscape, risk factors for disease transmission increase,” said Dr. Steve Ditchkoff, Professor of Wildlife Science at Auburn University in Alabama.

Another of QDMA’s concerns is that the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (DWFF) was apparently not consulted on the project nor asked to be involved.

“To my knowledge, no one in the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries spoke with the project’s organizers before it was announced, nor have we been asked to be involved in any manner,” said Gary Moody, Chief of Wildlife, Alabama DWFF.

According to the website BigBuckProject.org, beginning in fall 2012, the Big Buck Project led by Tutt Land Company will be releasing captive-bred breeder bucks across Marengo County to “restore ‘Record Book Genetics’ to the local Whitetail Population.”

However, QDMA staff biologists and many other deer experts believe this aspect of the project has little if any chance of success.

“Introducing a small number of breeder bucks into a free-ranging whitetail population is highly unlikely to affect genetics at the population level,” said Dr. Ditchkoff. “Not only is survival of captive-raised deer often very low when they are released into the wild, basic science suggests that the genetic impact of a few animals would be quickly diluted.”

“This is like trying to change the salinity of the ocean by adding a gallon of fresh water,” said Brian Murphy. “If Marengo County isn’t producing the quality of deer that hunters expect, it’s not because of ‘bad genetics’ but rather poor deer herd and habitat management.

“If this project proceeds, it would set a dangerous precedent, blurring the line between captive and wild animals and opening a can of worms in Alabama that could quickly lead to similar efforts in other counties,” said Murphy. “At the very least, we sincerely hope the Alabama legislature acts quickly to close this loophole and make it illegal to release captive-bred deer into the wild. If not, sooner or later, there will be negative, if not catastrophic, consequences, and Alabama hunters, landowners and residents will be the ultimate losers.”

This only issue here that really matters is whether or not the released deer are of any danger to the wild deer they will interact with. The notion that releasing a few "breeder buck" into a county to "bring back the genetics" lol could only come from the south. The genetics that you supposedly are trying to bring back have never even left. Just like stated in the QDMA article the reason your not shooting big bucks is because of improper herd balance, to many young bucks being shot, and not enough quality habitat. Genetics is the last hole in the bucket you need to plug. A huge buck carries the same genetics when he is huge as when he is a yearling. Its not the size of the buck that breeds a doe who determines how big that does off spring will be. Its the HUNTER behind the bow, or gun that lets that buck grow to maturity that will determine if he(the buck) becomes a trophy or not. When all you can grow are huge mature six points and spikes that are 4 years or older then maybe you could blame it on genetics. Its like sending a bunch of huge gladiator type football players to the poorest parts of Africa, and expecting all the sudden the babies born into these bad conditions to grow up to be the same as there fathers. Its not the genetics its the conditions.

Posted by MIbowhuntr on 2012-11-28 11:16:00

I am an avid hunter, and have never hunted in a fenced operation. But I completely disagree that fenced hunts fail to teach sportsmanship to our young hunters. Additionally, if idiots would quit shooting yearling bucks and 1 year old 8 pointers, we would have more opportunities to harvest a trophy buck. I live in Missouri, and we have a 4 point on one side restriction that was implemented 2 years ago, and we can already see the amazing results of this rule on our trail cameras this year. If it wasnt for the breeders, the genetics would not be preserved. I believe we should release high end genetic bucks in ALL states.

Posted by Gary Gatchel on 2012-11-08 16:19:16

This issue is currently being debated heavily on the Field & Stream website. I encourage everyone to see the comments posted so far. I also encourage you to join in the debate regardless if you are in favor of or against this issue. http://www.fieldandstream.com/...

Posted by Bioguy on 2012-10-03 19:46:27

The QDMA should leave these people alone. As long as no one is breaking any laws they can do what they want in their community.

Posted by longbow76 on 2012-10-02 11:32:35

This is legal to do in Alabama and has been done by free range landowners and high fence landowners for more than 20 years. Why would you jump on the people that are promoting this and not on the state that says this is legal to do because the deer are inspected and safe? The folks that started keeping records of the "Biggest" Bucks are the ones that started all of this big buck stuff to begin with, why don't you blame them? I don't see how you can jump on a company about something that a bunch of private landowners are wanting to do in their community to create excitement for hunters and opportunities for local businesses. If you have a problem with the state regulations, take it up with them because there are thousands of deer being moved around Alabama every year now from breeder facilities to private properties.

Posted by CenterTarget on 2012-10-01 15:00:01

This idea is not only dangerous, it stinks of a land company trying to up the value of a few acres of land for profit. I don't trust this type of business. These people would put the entire State deer heard at risk, for a few more "bucks" in their pockets. I hope the Alabama Legislature will act fast and stop this rediculous scheme.

Posted by Concerned Hunter on 2012-09-28 04:44:48

There should be a state law forbidding the hunting of fenced deer. The experts (Dr. Ditchkoff) are correct in that this increases the chance of disease. Listen to them! These fenced deer are no doubt high dollar "canned" hunts, some of which the participants are unskilled hunters. There is big money in such hunts and that's the bottom line - money! Fair chase is the correct, sporting and only way to hunt deer. Fenced hunts fail to teach sportsmanship to our young hunters.